Traffic Unit

Two traffic units provide for the safe and efficient movement of pedestrian and vehicular traffic within the Township. Traffic units investigate accidents and identify accident causing violations; they provide speed enforcement on Township streets including residential neighborhoods, enforce motor carrier regulations and reconstruct serious injury or fatal accidents. The unit also focuses on seatbelt violations and concentrates their efforts in the fight against drunk drivers. In addition, regular patrol units also provide traffic enforcement. The unit also resolves neighborhood traffic complaints and problems as well as community education programs. They are also responsible with deploying the departments speed enforcement trailer to problem areas in the Township.

TRAFFIC ISSUES

2008

2007

CHANGE FROM 07

Injury accidents

281

294

-4%

Property damage accidents

1,379

1,493

-8%

Accidents per mile of state roadway

16.87

17.1

-1%

Drunk driving arrests

255

219

16%

Tickets issued

3,389

4,817

-30%

Fatal accidents investigated

6

6

0%

Number of fatalities

8

6

33%

Fatal/serious injury accidents reconstructed

12

12

0%

54 Radar trailer enforcement sites

138 Days of enforcement

2,224 Hours of enforcement

96,807 Vehicles monitored

The radar trailer was purchased in July of 2007 and has proven to be a deterrent for speeders on our neighborhood streets and secondary roads.

TOP "ROAD SEGMENTS" CRASHES IN 2008

TOP CRASH HOURS OF THE DAY IN 2008

3pm and 4pm – 107 crashes

4pm and 5pm – 97 crashes

5pm and 6pm – 97 crashes

TOP MONTHS FOR CRASHES IN 2008

December - 145 crashes

June – 130 crashes

October - 109 crashes

The Traffic Bureau is still very busy today. It is organized the same way it was in 1999. The Traffic Bureau investigates traffic crashes, provides speed enforcement in residential neighborhoods, identify crash causing violations and target them for enforcement, and supervise school crossing guards. The officers use semi-marked police cars equipped with laptop computers, front/rear facing radar units, hand held laser units, and video camera systems. The Traffic Bureau has been using a mobile radar based speed measuring trailer since 2007. The trailer is an excellent tool for slowing down and studying traffic primarily in our neighborhoods. A schedule for the placement of the trailer is developed through known problem areas and resident’s complaints. The Traffic Bureau is very active throughout the township.

The Traffic Bureau is aggressive in targeting problem areas through out the township. If a resident is suffering with speeding motorists in their neighborhood they can request the radar trailer for their neighborhood by completing the following internet application. Please be as detailed as possible. Providing accurate target location, dates, and times will help with the proper positioning of the trailer. The trailer will be scheduled for the location and a traffic study will be completed. If the radar trailer doesn’t deter the speeding a traffic officer will be directed and violators will be cited.

Special Circumstance Accidents

2008

2007

% Change

Daylight

770

818

-6%

Dawn

16

24

-33%

Dusk

30

38

-21%

Dark – Lighted

55

51

8%

Dark – Unlighted

280

251

12%

Fog

7

2

250%

Raining

108

103

5%

Snow/Blowing Snow

110

55

100%

Sleet/Hail

7

7

0%

Car – Deer

50

38

32%

Accidents involving a school bus

7

2

250%

Hit and run accidents

97

113

-14%

Accidents while fleeing Police

1

1

0%

Accidents involving alcohol/drugs

47

45

4%

Percentages rounded to the nearest whole percent

SPECIAL TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT

Under a federal grant the Chesterfield Township Police Department on select dates throughout 2008 monitored traffic for seat belt usage and driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Following was the results of the special enforcement effort;

Welcome From Chesterfield Police Department

On behalf of the men and women of the Chesterfield Township Police Department, we would like to welcome you to our website. The staff of our department is committed to providing our residents and visitors with effective and efficient policing services that enhance their quality of life and keep Chesterfield Township a great place to live, work or visit.